Kelluu is one of the innovators in NATO DIANA's latest Phase 2 cohort. The Finnish company joined our programme earlier this year, and it is already revolutionising aerial monitoring.
What does your company do and what is the solution you applied to DIANA with?
"Kelluu creates a persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) layer below cloud level with autonomous airships built for Arctic conditions and GNSS-denied environments. The system supports NATO Allies by maintaining awareness and protecting borders. Through DIANA, we are advancing a platform that combines surveillance, detection, and communication capabilities."
What problem does your solution solve?
"Drones can’t stay airborne for long, and satellites aren't accurate enough. Defence needs a layer that combines persistence with accuracy, something that doesn’t exist today. Our airships fill that gap by flying up to 12 hours, and providing continuous coverage, data collection, and connectivity across wide and remote areas. This enables earlier threat detection and safer, more efficient operations."
How did the company get started?
"The idea was born in Finland after we realised existing drones couldn’t deliver long-duration persistence. We revisited lighter than air technology, once common a century ago, and redesigned it into small, autonomous airships that can be mass produced. The aim was to create an affordable, scalable platform that bridges the gap between drones and satellites."
Was your company already positioned as a dual-use company before DIANA?
"Kelluu became dual use in February 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine. That moment expanded our focus from civilian applications such as environmental monitoring and infrastructure mapping to supporting European security. DIANA helped us accelerate defence adoption and align our system with NATO frameworks."
How does your tech differ from competitors?
"Our lighter than air vehicles are energy-efficient, long-endurance, and capable of carrying multiple sensors for diverse missions. They operate in Arctic and GNSS-denied conditions where other systems fail. The airships can serve as surveillance platforms, communication nodes, or deterrent assets within drone wall and border monitoring initiatives."
What has been your biggest success or milestone since starting the DIANA programme?
"We participated in NATO’s REPMUS 2025 exercise, the main testing event for unmanned systems. This collaboration with defence users allowed us to validate our technology under NATO standards and advance toward operational readiness."
What is next on the horizon for your company?
"We are now focusing on operational deployments and AI-based threat analysis to support large-scale defence initiatives. The goal is to provide NATO Allies with a persistent, autonomous ISR layer that strengthens border security and regional resilience."